Object locator system

Abstract

An object locator system comprises a transmitter comprising circuitry to generate and emit a radio frequency interrogation signal representing one of a plurality of unique codes, a plurality of receivers each recognizing one of the plurality of unique codes and each comprising an audible indicator triggered by recognition of the unique code in the interrogation signal, and a dry erase surface coupled to the transmitter. The dry erase surface may be coupled to the transmitter through a moveable panel. The panel can be coupled to a casing of the transmitter. An alternate mechanism for coupling the dry erase surface to the transmitter is through a transmitter docking pad. The front surface area of the transmitter docking pad is greater than the front surface area of the transmitter with at least 20% of the front surface area of the transmitter docking pad covered by the dry erase surface.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . An object locator system, comprising:
 a transmitter comprising circuitry to generate and emit a radio frequency interrogation signal representing one of a plurality of unique codes;   a plurality of receivers each recognizing one of the plurality of unique codes and each comprising an audible indicator triggered by recognition of the unique code in the interrogation signal; and   a transmitter docking pad having a front surface and a back surface, the front surface of the transmitter docking pad having a greater area than a front surface of the transmitter, the front surface of the transmitter docking pad comprising a dry erase surface compatible with dry erase markers.   
     
     
         30 . The object locator system of  claim 29 , wherein the transmitter does not include an electronic alphanumerical visual display. 
     
     
         31 . The object locator system of  claim 30 , wherein more than 40% of the front surface of the transmitter docking pad is covered by the dry erase surface. 
     
     
         32 . The object locator system of  claim 30 , wherein the transmitter is reversibly coupled to the transmitter docking pad. 
     
     
         33 . The object locator system of  claim 30 , wherein the transmitter docking pad further comprises a retainer for holding a dry erase marker. 
     
     
         34 . The object locator system of  claim 30 , wherein the back surface of the transmitter docking pad further comprises a reversible fastener for reversibly coupling the transmitter docking pad to a base surface. 
     
     
         35 . The object locator system of  claim 30 , further comprising a second dry erase surface coupled to the transmitter, the second dry erase surface coupled to a panel that is coupled to a casing of the transmitter, the panel moveable from an open position to a closed position. 
     
     
         36 . The object locator system of  claim 30 , wherein the plurality of receivers further comprise a low battery detector circuit that triggers the audible indicator at a frequency of less than one burst per five seconds. 
     
     
         37 . The object locator system of  claim 30 , wherein the plurality of receivers further comprise a push-to-break reset switch. 
     
     
         38 . An object locator system, comprising:
 a transmitter comprising circuitry to generate and emit a radio frequency interrogation signal representing one of a plurality of unique codes, and a graduated multiple-position switch for selecting the one of the plurality of unique codes, the switch moveable from a first position to a second position in the absence of electrical current, each position providing one of the plurality of unique codes;   a plurality of receivers each recognizing one of the unique codes provided by the graduated multiple-position switch and each comprising an audible indicator triggered by recognition of the unique code in the interrogation signal; and   a transmitter docking pad having a front surface and a back surface, the front surface of the transmitter docking pad having a greater area than a front surface of the transmitter, the front surface of the transmitter docking pad comprising a dry erase surface compatible with dry erase markers.   
     
     
         39 . The object locator system of  claim 38 , wherein the transmitter does not include an electronic alphanumerical visual display. 
     
     
         40 . The object locator system of  claim 39 , wherein the graduated multiple-position switch is a multiple-position rotary switch. 
     
     
         41 . The object locator system of  claim 40 , wherein the transmitter switches consist essentially of a single multiple-position rotary switch and a single push-to-make activation switch. 
     
     
         42 . The object locator system of  claim 40 , wherein the multiple-position rotary switch comprises a thumbwheel actuator marked with graduated indicia. 
     
     
         43 . The object locator system of  claim 42 , wherein the transmitter further comprises a casing, the casing defining a window sized to observe a single graduated indicium. 
     
     
         44 . The object locator system of  claim 40 , wherein more than 40% of the front surface of the transmitter docking pad is covered by the dry erase surface. 
     
     
         45 . The object locator system of  claim 40 , wherein the transmitter docking pad further comprises a retainer for holding a dry erase marker. 
     
     
         46 . The object locator system of  claim 40 , wherein the back surface of the transmitter docking pad further comprises a reversible fastener for reversibly coupling the transmitter docking pad to a base surface. 
     
     
         47 . The object locator system of  claim 40 , further comprising a second dry erase surface coupled to the transmitter, the second dry erase surface coupled to a panel that is coupled to a casing of the transmitter, the panel moveable from an open position to a closed position. 
     
     
         48 . The object locator system of  claim 40 , wherein the plurality of receivers further comprise a low battery detector circuit that triggers the audible indicator at a frequency of less than one burst per five seconds.